the third alternative) is the weakest stage of faith”.

the third alternative) is the weakest stage of faith”. 'Ordering to do good and restraining from evil' is such an explicit order in Islam that by its means every sort of good can be done to others, and all types of evil can be eliminated. There are many traditions quoted from the Prophet which go to show that whoever renders any service to the nation is superior to a devout person. This is about common persons who render service to the nation.

In case, however, one, who renders such service, is also a scholar, he will no doubt be superior to millions of devout persons in the eyes of the Prophet just as the moon is superior to millions of stars. The Prophet of Islam has said: “A scholar is decidedly superior to a devout person in the same manner in which the moon is superior to the stars”. The Prophet has praised wisdom because it is wisdom which endeavours to find out ways and means for the welfare of the people.

One can do good to the people only by means of wisdom. The Prophet says: “An hour's reflection is better than a year's worship”. (In some traditions it has been said that it is better than seventy years' worship). Islam has paid full attention to the welfare of human society and its unity and order, as well as to its means of livelihood, and has drawn the attention of the people to the bounties of the earth and the blessings of work. “Almighty God has created all the gifts of the earth for you.

The earth has been created for the creatures. It is God who has subjected the earth to you. Walk on its paths and eat the provisions made available to you by God”. (67:15) Islam has made it obligatory for man to thank others. One can be thankful to God only when one thanks others, because one who does not recognise the creatures cannot recognise God. `One who has not thanked the people has not thanked God'. The Prophet has praised useful activities very much.

He has not contented himself with praising such activities but has also treated worth kissing those hands which are swollen due to excessive work. He says: “This is the hand which is liked by God and His Prophet”. The following narration goes to show how great the Prophet considered the useful tasks and the measures of public welfare: The companions of the Prophet saw a well-built man and wished that he might have spent his strength by way of jihad in the path of God.

Thereupon the Prophet said: “If this person has come out to serve his weak and aged parents it is a task in the path of God.